Ducks Acquire Jarkko Ruutu from Senators

The Anaheim Ducks announced tonight that they have acquired left wing Jarkko Ruutu from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a sixth round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. Ruutu will be eligible for unrestricted free agency at the end of the season. In 50 games so far this season, he has two goals and eight assists for 10 points and 59 penalty minutes. In 629 career NHL games with the Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Ottawa Senators, he has 57 goals and 83 assists for 140 points and 1040 penalty minutes. Not a bad depth move for the Ducks, as Ruutu plays with lots of toughness and is a very gritty, energetic, and agitating forward. He also brings a little two-way skill to the lineup and should be an effective checking line forward for the Ducks as they approach the playoffs.

Senators' Ruutu Suspended two Games for Biting Incident

According to NHL.com, Ottawa Senators left wing Jarkko Ruutu has been suspended two games by the NHL for a biting incident that occurred during Ottawa's 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on January 6. The incident occurred during a first-period altercation between Ruutu and Sabres' left wing Andrew Peters along the boards. Television replays show that as the play moved up the boards, Peters began rubbing his glove in Ruutu's face. Ruutu then bit down on Peters' gloved thumb to get the Sabres' player away from him, breaking the skin in the process. Peters immediately retreated to the bench where he was tended to by the Sabres' medical staff. Ruutu denied biting Peters during an interview following the game. He will miss games on January 8 and 10 against the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers, respectively. Ruutu will be eligible to return on January 13 when the Senators host the Carolina Hurricanes. This is the second time Ruutu has been suspended this season. He received a two-game suspension on November 12 for an elbow he delivered to the head of Montreal Canadiens' center Maxim Lapierre. Peters was assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for rubbing his glove in Ruutu's face. This move by Ruutu was completely uncalled for and is a big embarrassment to the NHL and himself. There were plenty of other ways he could have dealt with the situation instead of biting Peters. This incident just goes to show that Ruutu plays without any class and has no respect for his opponents on the ice. He should be ashamed of what he did.